MOMENT OF TRUTH¹ eli moskowitz

the moment of truth

Jeremy was being picked up the next morning for his rehab. Amara was so upset to see him go, but she was happy he was getting help. Amara was helping her dad and the worker load his stuff into the van.

The driver put the final bag into the back. “I'll give you two a minute.” He said, as he made his way back up to the driver seat.

Jeremy looked at Amara and sighed. “Well, kid, this looks like this is gonna be it for a while.” He told her. “You're still staying with Johnny, right?”

“Yeah.” Amara said, smiling with tears starting to form in her eyes.

“Hey, hey, hey.” Jeremy said as he pulled her into a hug comforting her. “Don't cry. Amara, you and I both know this is for the best, all right?” Amara pulled away and looked at Jeremy. “And besides, the longest I'll be back is in the spring. Just stay out of trouble, ok?”

Amara nodded as she wiped her tears. Jeremy cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you, kiddo.” He told her.

Amara had never heard those words leave his mouth unless he walked already drunk and hammered. This meant something to her. This was the start of something new. Jeremy walked to the passenger door of the van and got in. He looked at the window as Amara waved goodbye and the van drove off.

Amara slid down on the poll that was holding the awning up over the apartments. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her nose got stuffy, the whole nine yards.

Miguel was watching from the window of his apartment. He walked outside and looked at the blonde from behind. “Ami.” He said, grabbing her attention.

The blonde turned her head, facing him. Miguel said the sadness in her eyes and tears rolled down her face. Miguel walked up closely to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug.

Amara hugged Miguel back and cried into his shoulder. Miguel knew how hard this process was for her. And she did have a lot on her plate, but now with her dad gone that's one less thing she has to worry about.

•♪~†~♪•

Amara and Miguel went over to the dojo that morning. It was obvious that she had been crying. She didn't want people to ask her anything. She just wanted to mind her own business during today's lesson.

Kreese was over talking to the group of four while they were all stretching. Miguel was standing over top to Amara as he was helping her stretch her leg.

“You gotta understand that Mogadishu in the ‘90s was a hellhole. Warlords controlled whole swaths of the city. My team and I were charged with cleaning the place up.”

“How many warlords did you kill?” Hawk asked.

“You keep track of every ant you stomp out?” Kreese quizzed him back.

“Whoa.”

“Badass.”

Amara watched as Miguel scoffed and rolled his eyes. “What's wrong with you?” The blonde asked him as she grabbed his hand, pulling her up on her feet.

“Nothing.” Miguel answered. “Are you sure you're ok?”

“Yeah,” Amara replied. “I'm good. Do you care to help me move some of my stuff into Sensei's later today?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“They were outgunned, we were out manned.” Kreese continued. “I tell you… Rwanda was no joke”

Miguel gave a curious look to Kreese.  “Don't you mean Somalia?” He asked. “Mogadishu is in Somalia, Rwanda’s a whole different country.”

Mr Kreese turned his head towards Miguel and gave him a bit of a glare before turning back to Hawk and Aisha.